Thursday, September 20, 2018

Between the barrels - botanical printing

Yes... a whole season has passed. It wasn't without a bunch of hoopla.
Right after I wrote that last blog an unexpected thing happened. I had a close encounter. Let me just say, if you can't pull up your big girl panties you might be in a peck of trouble - and I was because I couldn't. I couldn't do anything - not a thing - raise my arms up, brush my hair, drive a car, or walk with any certainty or least of all dignity. Needless to say, it captured my attention. Fortunately with modern medication I am somewhat better. I could go on, but won't... I mean seriously - art is so much more fun to share.

By late July things were some better - I was able to do some stuff! Good thing too, because I was suppose to help organize Catherine Alice Michael's Botanical Printing Workshop offered by Puget Sound Book Artists. It turned out great, but who the heck ordered the 90+ degree day? OMG! Thankfully all went well and I am pleased to say I came away with some lovely prints. Here's one.


I spent the month of August trying my hand at Catherine's method. Let us just say, this art form has many variables - water, plant material, metals - yeah or nay, paper, time in the pot, the skill of the artist, type of mordant, temperature and more.

I call this photo selection -  Between the Barrels...


It is always good to see the whole spectrum to understand the potential. 









Sometimes though, you don't know if you have fallen off the turnip truck or not. I find that is exactly the best time to - rust!









If still confused as to what variable is speaking the loudest... you can always turn to suminigashi to straighten yourself out.


 










If you still haven't got things straight then you can bounce to making books. Why? 
Because there are no rules to this art making thingy. 
I mean, you can make books out of anything... 
even goeduck shells, mineral paper and real sea lettuce!


Or you could use the botanical prints and write a little story about August and
 even make it look like a real book with stitches and everything! 



You could also print the image of the botanical print on Mineral Paper! It's so smooth!



It is only when you feel the last of the warm sun  fading into autumn 
do you rush outside to make solar prints 
You may note you never see anyone doing them in the winter... do you?
The best leaves would be all be gone, right?





I love the little bites on the leaves. You can't quite see the tendrills on the sweetpea, but they are cool. 


I think these botanical prints will make a a very nice book. 
It is something to look forward to and way better than thinking about hair falling out 
or mysterious illnesses or
Supreme Court Justices with issues! 

Happy Equinox!